Devotions (Page 11)

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 I thought to write this week about something I’ve been learning as I’ve seen God at work in my life, and in the lives of others. I’m learning that in a way, God is very practical. God speaks to us and works in our lives based on where we currently are. I think Auntie Pat’s message…

Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33 I’m sure everyone of us can attest to that truth from our own life experiences. But he also tells us to take heart because He has overcome the world. With that assurance, He tells us throughout scripture to patiently endure and remain faithful to Him through all the trials and suffering that He already knows we will face in this fallen, imperfect world.  Why? Because He already knows the…

Earlier this week I had a strange dream… well, most nights I have pretty bizarro dreams. But there was something different about this one that caught my attention. I hadn’t remembered it at all until later into the next day when I heard a random phrase that brought this particular scene rushing back to the forefront of my mind. Although I can’t remember much of what happened before or after this portion of my dream, I feel like I’ve been…

One of the things Donna was speaking over the church in her INTRO (not even the main message) was sensing that God is expanding and increasing our capacity. She shared that this expansion and increase happens on the inside of us. She offered up a new definition of joy: being an internal experience, a delight of simply being in someone’s presence. She challenged us to intentionally rejoice in this season of patient endurance. Not only that, but we rejoice in…

We had the amazing privilege to have Donna Parachin speak to the Lifespring family. It is hard to put into words what happens when she comes, but you just know God was there and we leave full and blessed by her and through her. If you have a chance, please watch the recording. As Donna was speaking, there was something I felt the Lord want to highlight for Lifespring. She shared that there is tremendous power in declarations, there is…

Jesus’ life was quite the rollercoaster. First, He was just a baby born in a stable. Then, the king wanted to kill Him, and His family had to move to Egypt for a time. As time went on, he was just a carpentor’s son, until He got baptized and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a dove. Later, he performed miracles, grew a following, and clashed with the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the time. Then, He was…

Dear LifeSpring Family, I was so encouraged this past Sunday at our Volunteers Appreciation Celebration.  I, like many of you, have been blessed by the faithfulness of Perry and Catherine to our LifeSpring family. It reminded me of the verses found in Ephesians 2:8-10.  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship,…

Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’” Mark 11:1-3 This has always been a strange passage to me. Jesus instructs his disciples to steal a colt. He instructs them…

So, I realize that I’m a little biased… but Abby’s sermon was brilliant!! If you haven’t had a chance to take it in yet, I highly recommend it. (Apologies to literally all of our KidzHarbour leaders who have already heard me pass along this exact same recommendation, haha) As Abby gave an overview of the Israelites’ Exodus out of Egypt and much of their time in the wilderness, she dropped countless gems along the way. I’ve been ruminating on many…

Last weekend, I had a chance to speak at MLCF and had a great time worshipping with the Lifespring family in Mississauga. I spoke on John 6:1-13, which is a passage I’ve spoken on before but I think has special significance for our theme of Patient Endurance this year. The theme of Patient Endurance seems to already be resonating with many people that I’ve spoken to, even though we’re only eight weeks in to the year. Maybe you’ve had an…

The children of Israel were certainly not a “model nation”. Whether in dealing with the struggles of life in the wilderness, their behavior in the absence of their leader, or facing their odds of survival in Canaan, the Israelites showed time and time again that they were prone to impatiently giving up when the going got tough. Their shortcomings, however, can teach us a lot about how to patiently endure. As we look at Israel’s time in the wilderness, a…

One of the things God has been speaking to me after my January fast was the importance of moving forward. Moving forward is a natural process in the journey of life, and I would like to suggest to you that it is how we are designed as humans. Take a look at your feet. If they are crossed, position them flat on the ground. Tell me which direction they are pointing? For most people, their feet are pointed straight. Our…